Are our police officers professional?

THE people have lost confidence in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
While many officers are striving to maintain the integrity of the institution, there are just too many rogue cops who should have been dismissed for bringing the force into disrepute.
The police bosses and politicians should not give any excuse.
In the recent unrest in Lae, the policemen were clearly outnumbered.
How can we expect 200 officers to control the situation?
The opportunists are aware of this fact and it is only a matter of time before they take control if the police commissioner and his se­nior officers and politicians conti­nue to sleep instead of beefing up the RPNGC.
The recent unrest also exposed a lack of Morobe leadership to curb lawlessness and it is obvious this problem has not been resolved satisfactorily.
The Morobe governor and the Lae MP have to sit down and find a solution.
They have to put their differences aside or else they will end up with anarchy on their hands.
Ordinary Morobean youths tried to restore peace and harmony but ended up losing their lives.
I convey my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
I support the call by former police officer and Ombudsman John Toguata that it is time for the police college to introduce more advanced courses on human rights, code of ethics and professionalism.
The government needs to introduce the necessary reforms to raise the level of policing in the country especially in the police training curriculum so that our officers are on par with their international counterparts.

Sata Goloso
Kimbe